In Memory Of
Harold Williams Brown
Harold Williams Brown
Harold Williams Brown passed away on August 26, 2011 at the age of 87 in Topeka, Kansas at a local care facility after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Sue Waller Brown on August 9, 2010 and his brother, Charles Brown in 2004. He is survived by two sons: Alan W. Brown (and Beth) of New Bern, North Carolina and Gary W. Brown (and Joyce) of Lawrence, Kansas. In addition, he is survived by 5 grandchildren: Justin Brown (and Teresa), Blair Brown (and Heather), and Lindsay Brown Wiederman (and Glenn), all of Richmond, Virginia; Jake Brown (and Kasi) of Lawrence, Kansas; and Wendy Brown Baker (and Greg) of Shawnee, Kansas. He also has 3 step grandchildren (Dustin, Darin, and Matt (and Amanda) Frost), 5 great grandchildren, and 4 step great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Lili-Beth Hamilton (and Bill) of Naples, Fl.
Harold was born on November 9, 1923 in Cottage Grove, Tennessee to Franklin and Jennie Brown. He graduated from Orlando (Fl) High School and then served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, where 1st Lieutenant Brown was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with the 483rd Bombardier Group.
He married (Dorothy) Sue Waller in Mayfield, Ky. on January 9, 1946.
After the War, he began a brief career in the newspaper business in Atlanta under the guidance of Asa Candler (one of the founders of Coca Cola). Subsequently, he began his lifelong career in the cemetery business in Atlanta. Throughout the years, he became known for his national expertise in financial, appraisal, and marketing matters in the cemetery industry. He founded Harold W. Brown and Associates and traveled extensively throughout the United States as a cemetery consultant. He was the author of How to Sell Cemetery Property Before Need (5 editions). Mr. Brown was affiliated with Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka during the late 1950s and 1960s and was instrumental in planning the mausoleum expansion and instituting a vigorous pre-need sales program there. He was co-owner (along with Warren Binder) of St. Joseph (Mo.) Memorial Park Cemetery until 1985, at which time it was sold to Service Corporation International of Houston, TX. He continued to be affiliated as a consultant with SCI and received their "International Cemetery and Funeral Association Hall of Fame Award" in March 1999. Former President George H.W. Bush presented the award to him at their annual convention. In addition, throughout his distinguished career as a cemetery leader, he served on the boards of various professional boards and associations (American Cemetery Association, National Association of Cemeteries, Trinity Bronze, etc).
He will be remembered for his dynamic personality, his generosity and love of family members, and his affinity for wearing his trademark "loud" sports jackets. He was a first-rate golfer and a member of Shawnee County Club for many years. But perhaps his most enduring legacy will be the standard of excellence and achievement he set for all throughout his life.
A short committal service with military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 2 at Mount Hope Cemetery in the Abbey Chapel.
The family suggests expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorials to Heartland Hospice of Topeka, 2231 SW Wanamaker Rd # 202, Topeka, KS 66614.
Harold was born on November 9, 1923 in Cottage Grove, Tennessee to Franklin and Jennie Brown. He graduated from Orlando (Fl) High School and then served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, where 1st Lieutenant Brown was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with the 483rd Bombardier Group.
He married (Dorothy) Sue Waller in Mayfield, Ky. on January 9, 1946.
After the War, he began a brief career in the newspaper business in Atlanta under the guidance of Asa Candler (one of the founders of Coca Cola). Subsequently, he began his lifelong career in the cemetery business in Atlanta. Throughout the years, he became known for his national expertise in financial, appraisal, and marketing matters in the cemetery industry. He founded Harold W. Brown and Associates and traveled extensively throughout the United States as a cemetery consultant. He was the author of How to Sell Cemetery Property Before Need (5 editions). Mr. Brown was affiliated with Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka during the late 1950s and 1960s and was instrumental in planning the mausoleum expansion and instituting a vigorous pre-need sales program there. He was co-owner (along with Warren Binder) of St. Joseph (Mo.) Memorial Park Cemetery until 1985, at which time it was sold to Service Corporation International of Houston, TX. He continued to be affiliated as a consultant with SCI and received their "International Cemetery and Funeral Association Hall of Fame Award" in March 1999. Former President George H.W. Bush presented the award to him at their annual convention. In addition, throughout his distinguished career as a cemetery leader, he served on the boards of various professional boards and associations (American Cemetery Association, National Association of Cemeteries, Trinity Bronze, etc).
He will be remembered for his dynamic personality, his generosity and love of family members, and his affinity for wearing his trademark "loud" sports jackets. He was a first-rate golfer and a member of Shawnee County Club for many years. But perhaps his most enduring legacy will be the standard of excellence and achievement he set for all throughout his life.
A short committal service with military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 2 at Mount Hope Cemetery in the Abbey Chapel.
The family suggests expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorials to Heartland Hospice of Topeka, 2231 SW Wanamaker Rd # 202, Topeka, KS 66614.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Harold Williams Brown, please visit our flower store.
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